Wednesday’s April 3, 2013 Lecture Slides

THE GREAT GATSBYChapters 1-2 Discussions

3003.8.1–I can identify characteristics of the Modern and Contemporary Period.

3003.8.3—I can determine how the conflict in Gatsby impacts the characters.

3003.8.5—I can analyze characters to determine their roles/functions in Gatsby.

3003.8.16—I can identify specific symbols and passages of foreshadowing in Gatsby.

BEGINNING QUOTE

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (Fitzgerald 1). Why do you think (through Nick’s narration)

Fitzgerald stated this at the beginning of the book? Establishes an optimism in Nick Shows his compassion, tolerance, and

reliability Someone we can trust.

CHAPTER 1 Characters

Nick Carraway – narrator of the story Daisy Buchanan – Nick’s cousin Tom Buchanan – Daisy’s husband and

fellow Yale graduate of Nick’s

CHAPTER ONE

Characters Jordan Baker – friend of Daisy, and

eventually, a friend of Nick’s Jay Gatsby – Nick’s mysterious next-

door neighbor

FITZGERALD’S ALLUSION OF WEALTH (4)

Nick’s volume of books on finance red and gold new money from the mint (green)

Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas Midas was the legendary king who was granted his wish

that everything he touch change to gold. Morgan refers to J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), the famous New York financier. Maecenas was a wealthy Etruscan patron of the Roman poets Horace and Virgil.

All three are examples of Fitzgerald's fascination with wealth and the very wealthy.

http://www.studyworld.com/studyworld_studynotes/great_gatsby/glossary.htm

SETTING – LONG ISLANDWest Egg

East Egg Home of the “New Rich” Old bungalows next to large

mansions The less fashionable to the

two (5) Gatsby (war veteran) Nick (war veteran)

Glittering white palaces Red colonials Old money that is well-

groomed Polo Well-bred

occupants/fashionable (5) Buchanans (spoiled; family

money) Thinks he is well-read

Valley of Ashes

COLOR AS A SYMBOL Red and gold

Houses at the fashionable East Egg (Georgian colonials) Rosy colored porches (11) Crimson room (17-foreshadowing to future bloodshed) Described in golden light Yellow hair (17) Red gas pumps (20)

White Houses at the fashionable East Egg (5) White gleaming windows (8) Ladies wearing white dresses (8) Daisy’s name suggests white Nordic race (Tom’

Green Ivy on the colossal affair (Gatsby’s house) Fresh grass (8)

Black “You did it, Tom” (12) The Rise of the Colored Empires – Goddard (12)

Racist book, white-supremacy (Tom)

RELATIONSHIPS Nick and Daisy Nick and Tom Daisy and Jordan Daisy and Tom Tom and girlfriend from

NY Gatsby and ?

Remember we haven’t been formally introduced to him yet

How are they connected?

What can you foreshadow in this picture?

QUESTIONS ON GUIDED READINGS Who is the narrator of the story? What is the significance of the white space between paragraph 4

and 5? From what part of the country does Nick originally come? Why has Nick moved to New York? How does Nick come to live next door to Jay Gatsby? Where had Nick known Tom Buchanan before? What is Jordan Backer's relationship to Daisy Buchanan? What does Nick learn from Jordan when Tom is called to the phone? What is the "secret society?" What does Nick see Gatsby doing at the end of the chapter?

CHAPTER 2

Characters Tom Nick Dr. T. J. Eckleburg – oculist (optometrist, or ophthalmologist) George Wilson – owner of an automobile repair shop, provider of gas,

and husband of Myrtle (faintly handsome) Myrtle – George’s wife and Tom’s mistress; mid 30s, faintly stout Catherine – Myrtle’s sister (slender), worldly girl, 30s, sticky bob of red

hair, Nick’s companion at Myrtle’s request Mr. and Mrs. McKee – a couple who live in the hotel where Tom, Myrtle,

and Nick go to a party (hate each other)

Billboard that hovers

SETTING

Chapter 1 – East Egg (old $) and West Egg (new $)

Chapter 2 – Valley of Ashes (worst) and New York

Wilson’s Garage Morningside Heights Apartments (Love Shack)

Discuss the contrasts Green (chapter 1) with the grayness of the valley Green (envy, go, chasing dreams) Gold (money, power, secrets)

Fitzgerald’s attempt to establish the rich and the poor

STEAMY AFFAIR

Relationships George and Tom Myrtle and Tom Catherine and Nick Mrs. McKee and Myrtle Mr. McKee and Nick

How is Myrtle always able to get away? How does Tom feel about George?

“He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he is alive” (26).

What is ironic about what Myrtle bought at the news-stand? She bought a copy of the Town Tattle . Do you wonder if she was going to find her name and/or picture in it?

“I want to see you…get on the train.”“All right!”“I’ll meet you by the news-stand…”

BIG PARTYDOUBLE LIVESTERRIBLE LIES

Materialism evident Transformation of Myrtle with every change of clothes Lavish party with the introduction of Catherine and Mr. and

Mrs. McKee Small talk; McKee is looking to get into photographing the

rich and famous What do we learn about Gatsby (32)?

Subject of gossip Not been introduced yet…Fitzgerald forges a sense of excitement here

Discuss Tom hitting Mrs. Wilson

QUESTIONS FOR GUIDED READING

1. What is the Valley of Ashes literally? 2. Who or what is Dr. T. J. Eckleburg? 3. What is George Wilson's occupation? 4. What items does Myrtle purchase in the city? 5. What is significant about Myrtle's questioning whether the dog is

a boy or girl? 6. Who is Catherine? 7. What effect does the change of dress have on Myrtle? 8. How does Myrtle talk about the help at the hotel? 9. What rumor had Catherine heard about Gatsby? 10. How does Catherine explain to Nick the affair of Myrtle and Tom?

HOMEWORK

Read Chapters 3-4 Due Friday:

Guided Reading for 3-4 Vocabulary Readers’ Theatre 1-4

Start looking at your Learning Menu items Pick one appetizer Pick one dessert Pick one beverage I will serve you the main courses! Questions during tutoring time or email me amyhorner40@gmail.com

One Vocabulary Readers’ Theater presentation